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Thermochromic Road Signs

 Seasonal signs spark silliness
 
(0) 		  [vote for,
against]

This time of year, when it is 97 degrees (36 C) outside, I always find it funny to see signs that say "Caution: Bridge May Ice In Winter" and the like.

Can't we paint the letters on these signs using thermochromic paint, so they are only legible when it is freezing out?

—krelnik, Jul 16 2004

ICE Tape http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/ICE_20Tape
related idea for road surface markings, by [leck] [krelnik, Oct 05 2004, last modified Oct 17 2004]


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Annotation:







       Would they say something else when it is not freezing out, or just be blank?
—luecke, Jul 16 2004
   

       I'm guessing blank. What would you have them say in the summer? "Have a nice day"?
—krelnik, Jul 16 2004
   

       Anything but that! How about "Bridge may be warm"?
—angel, Jul 16 2004
   

       How about, "Be Glad It's Not Winter!"
—zigness, Jul 16 2004
   

       You have my support, krelnik; I feel pretty much the same abot these road signs. They're just a meaningless distraction for drivers in the summer.   

       Though, some may argue that that the info is nice to know ahead of time anyway.   

       A great half-baked idea at the least.
—Albino Fox, Jul 16 2004
   

       How about- NOTICE: Bridge will not ice in summer!
—mhuppertz, Jul 16 2004
   

       Something like the 2 m high white painted depth measuring posts in Aus saying "Road subject to flooding" when you cant even find water for a drink.
—tasman, Jul 16 2004
   

       To solve that one, someone needs to invent "hydrochromic" road signs.
—krelnik, Jul 19 2004
   

       Or hygrochromic.
—Etymon, Jul 19 2004
   

       The only problem is the sign saying nothing when ice is forming on the road surface. This is common apparently on some bridges where ice will form even when the air temperature is above freezing.
—oneoffdave, Jul 19 2004
   

       I think that is just a matter of formulating the thermochromic paint for the right temperature. I.e. have it become visible below 40 F (4C) or some other temperature above freezing.
—krelnik, Jul 19 2004
   

       Have an ice day.
or not.		   

       How about a sign in the ditch on the side of the road that reads:
"If you can read this - there was ice on the road"
—energy guy, Jul 19 2004
   

       Or perhaps, "If you can read this, it's cold." I am partial to the already suggested "BRIDGE MAY BE WARM" myself.
—Etymon, Jul 20 2004
   

       "This Sign Is Intentionally Blank"
—phundug, Jul 20 2004
   

       Around here, they could show messages only when temperatures are high like today's projected 111, "Go to San Diego, fool".
—half, Jul 20 2004
   

       "Caution: bridge may fall in case of earthquake...or melt in case of nuclear explosion. But with this bloody heat, it will certainly not freeze."
—PauloSargaco, Jul 20 2004
   

       "Caution: Bridge"
—shibolim, Jul 21 2004
   


 

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